📝 Introduction: What Are Data Types in C?

In C programming, data types define the type of data a variable can store. They specify how much memory will be allocated and what operations are permissible. Choosing the right data type is crucial for efficient memory usage and program reliability.

🔍 List of Basic Data Types in C

C provides several primary data types. Let’s explore them:

Data Type Keyword Size (Typical) Range (Approximate)
Integer int 2 or 4 bytes -32,768 to 32,767 / -2B to 2B
Floating Point float 4 bytes 3.4E-38 to 3.4E+38
Double Float double 8 bytes 1.7E-308 to 1.7E+308
Character char 1 byte -128 to 127 or 0 to 255
Void void No value Represents empty or null

🧮 1️⃣ int (Integer Type)

Stores whole numbers (positive/negative).

Size: Usually 4 bytes (depends on system architecture).

Example
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    int age = 25;
    printf("Age: %d", age);
    return 0;
}

🌊 2️⃣ float (Floating-Point Type)

Stores decimal numbers with single precision.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    float price = 99.99;
    printf("Price: %.2f", price);
    return 0;
}

🔬 3️⃣ double (Double-Precision Float)

Higher precision for floating-point numbers.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    double pi = 3.1415926535;
    printf("PI: %.10lf", pi);
    return 0;
}

🎯 4️⃣ char (Character Type)

Stores single characters.

Use single quotes e.g. 'A'.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
    char grade = 'A';
    printf("Grade: %c", grade);
    return 0;
}

🚫 5️⃣ void (Void Type)

Indicates no value or no return type.

Used in functions that don’t return any value.

Example
#include <stdio.h>
void greet() {
    printf("Hello, World!");
}
int main() {
    greet();
    return 0;
}

🗂️ Data Type Modifiers

Modifiers adjust the size or sign of basic data types:

  • short
  • long
  • signed
  • unsigned

Example

unsigned int population = 1000000;
long int distance = 123456789L;

📌 Key Takeaways

  • C has five basic data types: int, float, double, char, and void.
  • Always choose data types wisely to ensure optimal memory usage.
  • Type modifiers (like unsigned, long) allow more flexibility.